Collections - Letters
Letters of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bevan, 1804-1811.
Letter Number 17
Dated: 11th October 1808 from CB at Queluz, near
Lisbon. Addressed to: Mrs C. Bevan
I find, my ever dearest Mary, that Genl Spencer has not yet sailed so
that I have today an opportunity of sending into Lisbon I seize the
chance to tell you that tomorrow we march from hence on our route into
Spain, in the first instance we proceed to Abrantes, a place that gave
Junot his title of Duke, it is about 60 miles from hence, - There is a
rumour that we are to halt in and about that place until the bad weather
is over but of this we know nothing, I have at length been fortunate to
procure a very good mule, but was obliged to pay for it. It is
absolutely necessary in marching through so miserable a country as this
to carry some necessaries both for the outside as well as inside I am
rejoicing at the approaching cool weather as though I am not ill I find
the extreme heat of our present situation very uncomfortable If we
stay the six weeks at Abrantes I shall use the time in endeavouring to
make myself master of Spanish which will be a pleasant as well as a very
useful acquirement. I was a few days ago present at a Grand Ball given
by the English Army to the Portugese Nobility etc. It was as stupid as
needs be, I did not stay there long but poor little Dewes who could not
resist the temptations of a very elegant supper, has been ill ever since
You must not say a word about this but I thought it would amuse you. I
do not know what we are to pay for this Ball, but I fear much more than
I think any Ball can be worth. I much wished to have sent home by Genl
Spencer some little trinkets for you which here are very pretty but I
really am not able to get a single dollar Dewes not having any money
I hope I shall meet with something in Spain that will be acceptable to
you Halford who is going to England on his promotion, takes this
letter for me; and should Genl Spencer be gone, he will take it himself.
I hope to hear from you soon. It is now a very long time since I had a
letter I hope you have been more fortunate with mine. I have written
to the Admiral by Genl S. supposing him at Cheltenham I wish I was
there also. I hope we shall rejoin Lord Wm Bentinck as I shall then hope
to get letters by Mr W Adams. I hear from an Officer just come from
India that Col. Adams is to be married immediately or rather was to have
been so when he left the country God Bless you and our dear Children,
my Mary
I am always
Your own C.B.
Camp near Queluz
NOTES BY TRANSCRIBER
i) Major General Brent Spencer commanded a brigade at Copenhagen and
until 1808 in the Peninsula. He returned before Barrosa
ii) Queluz which Wellington (and Moore) made their HQ was the seat of
the Royal Pink Palace, which survives (as a Pousada) and would have
been the scene of the Ball
iii) Junot the French General defeated by Wellesley at Vimiero, was
sent back to France under the terms of the Sintra Convention
iv) Dewes Lieutenant Paymaster of 1st/28th
v) Halford Lieutenant G. Halford is listed in the 1806 list of 28th
Officers
vi) Lord Wm Bentinck a former Governor of Madras had a Brigade under
Moore. Later became Governor of Bengal and 1st Gov General of India
vii) Elsewhere a Wm Adams, some relation of the Dacres became Private
Sec to Pitt (about 1804)
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